Unilever finds Finnish buyer for Conimex

Finnish food group Paulig has strengthened its position in the market of Asian food products in Belgium and the Netherlands with the acquisition of Conimex from Unilever.

Increasing ‘spicy’ market share

Founded in 1932, Conimex holds a leading position in the Dutch and Belgian ‘exotic foods’ markets with its range of Asian meal ingredients, crackers, soups, sauces and spices. Its portfolio fits perfectly with Paulig’s World Foods portfolio, the company said in a press release. The Finnish group, which also produces seasonings and spices under the Santa Maria brand, hopes the acquisition creates opportunities to scale up the sourcing and supply chain and combine portfolio and concept development.

Last month, Unilever had announced it was considering selling the brand as part of an efficiency exercise. The multinational wants to focus on its thirty biggest brands and is also selling other Dutch classics Unox and Zwan, as well as its icecream division (including Magnum and Ben&Jerry’s) and producer of meat substitutes The Vegetarian Butcher.